Cowboy Playing Harmonica Technique

Once the cowboy begins to play, he’ll breathe from his stomach, not just his mouth. He’ll keep his lips relaxed and use his tongue to block the holes so he only plays one clean note at a time. When he wants that deep, emotional, crying sound, he’ll cup his hands around the harmonica and open and close them while playing — that’s the hand wah. He’ll be switching smoothly between blowing and drawing air, shaping each note with his tongue and throat so the harmonica actually sings. That’s how it will look once the cowboy begins to play.